Kenner took new steps Thursday to combat blight, amending its property laws to require that lawns be edged and trash removed. City Council members said the changes make explicit some common-sense ideas that were not clear in the law.

Some property owners, cited repeatedly for letting their grass grow more than 15 inches tall, respond by mowing haphazardly and not edging at all, officials said.

"The grass had actually blocked most of the sidewalk," Councilwoman Maria DeFrancesch said of one violator in her district.

The changes require edging of developed lots as well as removal of trash before the grass is cut, presumably targeting people who merely mow around junk piles.

"This gives us some more teeth to make Kenner a more aesthetic city," Councilman Joe Stagni said.

The amendments were recommended by a code enforcement advisory committee that remains at work and likely will have more suggestions.